Vehicle front-end assembly

ABSTRACT

A vehicle front-end assembly includes a vehicle frame, a first tow hook and a skid plate. The first tow hook has a forward portion and a rearward portion. The rearward portion of the first tow hook is attached a front-end portion of a first front side member of the vehicle frame by a mechanical fastener. The skid plate has a main section and a first attachment flange that extends from the main section. The first attachment flange is attached to the front-end portion of the first front side member by the mechanical fastener. The first attachment flange has a first alignment projecting surface. During installation of the skid plate to the first front side member, the first alignment projection contacts a surface of the rearward portion of the first tow hook moving the first tow hook into alignment with the first front side member.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle front-end assembly.More specifically, the present invention relates to front-end assemblythat includes a tow hook and a skid plate that attach to a downwardfacing surface of a front side member of a vehicle frame such thatduring installation, a surface of the skid plate contacts the tow hookaligning the tow hook with the skid plate and the front side member ofthe vehicle frame.

Background Information

Many off-road vehicles include panels that cover forward underside areasof the vehicle. Such covers are often referred to as skid panels or skidplates. The purpose of a skid plate is to protect and shield enginecomponents and vehicle elements located with a low area of the front-endof the vehicle from flying debris during an off-road excursion. Suchskid plates are not structural elements and are typically attached tobumper and/or fender elements of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle with a skidplate that attaches to forward areas of the vehicle frame via mechanicalfasteners with tow hooks to the vehicle frame such that an alignmentsurface of the skid plate aligns the tow hook with the vehicle frame andthe skid plate.

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a vehicle front-end assembly with a vehicleframe, a first tow hook and a skid plate. The vehicle frame has a firstfront side member with a front-end portion. The first tow hook has aforward portion and a rearward portion. The rearward portion of thefirst tow hook is attached the front-end portion of the first front sidemember by at least one first mechanical fastener. The skid plate has amain section, a first attachment flange extending from a first lateralside of the main section. The first attachment flange is also attachedto the front-end portion of the first front side member by the at leastone first mechanical fastener. The first attachment flange has a firstalignment projecting surface configured such that during installation ofthe skid plate to the first front side member, the first alignmentprojection contacts a surface of the rearward portion of the first towhook moving the first tow hook into alignment with the first front sidemember.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front-end assembly of a vehicle thatincludes a first tow hook, a second tow hook and a skid plate inaccordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a vehicle frame removed from the vehicledepicted in FIG. 1, showing the first tow hook, the second tow hook andthe skid plate attached to a first front side member and a second frontside member in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the front-end assemblyfully assembled showing the first front side member, the first tow hookand a first attachment flange of the skit plate fixed together by afirst mechanical fastener and a second mechanical fastener in accordancewith the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1,showing the skid plate and a bumper assembly attached to the vehicleframe in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side view of one of the first tow hook and/or the second towhook shown removed from the vehicle in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the one of the first tow hook and/or the secondtow hook depicted in FIG. 5 in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the skid removed from the vehicle,showing details of a main section of the skid plate and the firstattachment flange in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the skid plate showing the first attachmentflange, the main section and the second attachment flange in accordancewith the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the skid plate showing the first attachmentflange, the main section and the second attachment flange in accordancewith the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the skid plate showing the first attachmentflange and the main section in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the portion of the front-endassembly depicted in FIG. 3 showing the first mechanical fastenerpartially installed to a downward facing surface of the first front sidemember with the first tow hook hanging from the first mechanicalfastener in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the portion of the front-endassembly depicted in FIGS. 3 and 11 showing the first attachment flangeof the skid plate brought into position adjacent to the first mechanicalfastener and brought into contacting the first tow hook in accordancewith the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the portion of the front-endassembly depicted in FIGS. 3, 11 and 12 showing the first attachmentflange of the skid plate moved such that the first mechanical fasteneris positioned within a slot defined at a rearward edge of the skid plateand moved into alignment with the first front side member and the firsttow hook in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the portion of the front-endassembly showing the second mechanical fastener aligned with openings inthe first attachment flange of the skid plate and an opening in thefirst tow hook during assembly thereof in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 15 is still another perspective view of the portion of thefront-end assembly showing the second mechanical fastener installed butnot yet tightened holding the first attachment flange of the skid plateand the first tow hook in alignment with one another during assemblythereof in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the front-end assembly taken alongthe line 16-16 in FIG. 15 showing the first and second mechanicalfasteners tightened, clamping and sandwiching the first tow hook betweenthe first front side member and the first attachment flange of the skidplate in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the vehicle and the front-end assemblyshowing a first pair of the first and second mechanical fastenersattaching the first tow hook and the first attachment flange of the skidplate to the first front side member, and showing a second pair of thefirst and second mechanical fasteners attaching the second tow hook andthe second attachment flange of the skid plate to the second front sidemember in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the front-end assembly taken alongthe line 18-18 in FIG. 17, showing the skid plate covering a lowerportion of the front end of the vehicle in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a front-end assembly showing a firstattachment flange with an upwardly extending alignment projection inaccordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the front-end assembly similar toFIG. 16, showing the upwardly extending alignment projection of thefirst attachment flange with an alignment surface contacting an outboardportion of the first tow hook aligning the first tow hook with the firstattachment flange and the first front side member in accordance with thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 21 is another cross-sectional view of a front-end assembly similarto FIG. 20, showing an upwardly extending alignment projection of afirst attachment flange with an alignment surface of the alignmentprojection contacting an inboard portion of the first tow hook aligningthe first tow hook with the first attachment flange and the first frontside member in accordance with a third embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a front-end assembly similar toFIG. 21, showing an upwardly extending alignment projection of a firstattachment flange with an alignment surface of the alignment projectioncontacting a surface of an attachment opening defined within a first towhook aligning the first tow hook with the first attachment flange andthe first front side member in accordance with a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a portion of the front-end assemblyfully assembled showing the first front side member and the firstattachment flange of the skid plate fixed together by the firstmechanical fastener and the second mechanical fastener in the absence ofa first tow hook and a second tow hook (the first and second tow hooksbeing omitted) in accordance with a fifth embodiment; and

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the vehicle and the front-end assemblyshowing the first pair of the first and second mechanical fastenersattaching the first attachment flange of the skid plate to the firstfront side member (with the first tow hook omitted), and showing asecond pair of the first and second mechanical fasteners attachingsecond attachment flange of the skid plate to the second front sidemember (with the second tow hook omitted) in accordance with the firstembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 that includes a front endassembly 11 that includes a first tow hook 12, a second tow hook 14 anda skid plate 16 is illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment.

The vehicle 10 is depicted as a pick-up truck. However, it should beunderstood from the drawings and the description herein below that thevehicle 10 can be any vehicle that has off-road drivability and/orstructural design suitable for use with tow hooks, such as the first andsecond tow hooks 12 and 14.

The first and second tow hooks 12 and 14 are configured and designedsuch that a vehicle operator or passenger can connect a chain, cable orother suitable towing material to one or both of the tow hooks 12 and 14and tow the vehicle 10 or use the vehicle 10 to tow another vehicle (notshown) out of, for example, a ditch or deep mud puddle or the like.

The front-end assembly 11 of the vehicle 10 includes a vehicle frame 18,such as that shown in FIG. 2. The vehicle frame 18 (sometimes referredto as a vehicle chassis) is a rigid structural assembly that usuallyreceives and supports a vehicle body thereon. Since vehicle chassis andvehicle bodies are conventional automotive features, further descriptionis omitted for the sake of brevity. The vehicle frame 18 is preferablymade of heavy gauge steel or any suitable iron, aluminum material withrigidity and strength suitable for a vehicle with off-road capability.

The vehicle frame 18 in the depicted embodiment includes a first beam20, a second beam 22, and a plurality of cross-members 24, 26 and 28that extend between the first beam 20 and the second beam 22. Thecross-members 24, 26 and 28 are welded or otherwise rigidly fixed toeach of the first beam 20 and the second beam 22 creating the rigidvehicle frame 18. In FIG. 2, the vehicle body, engine and all othercomponents have been removed from the vehicle frame 18, except the firsttow hook 12, the second tow hook 14 and the skid plate 16, which areshown installed to the vehicle frame 18.

A forward portion of the first beam 20 of the vehicle frame 18 defines afirst front side member 34, and a forward portion of the second beam 22of the vehicle frame 18 defines a second front side member 36. Each ofthe first front side member 34 and the second front side member 36 isloosely defined as that portion of the corresponding first and secondbeams 20 and 22 located forward from the cross-member 26. The firstfront side member 34 is located adjacent to a driver's side (a firstlateral side) of the vehicle 10, and, the second front side member 36 islocated adjacent to a passenger's side (a second lateral side oppositethe first lateral side) of the vehicle 10. The first front side member34 has a front-end portion 34 a and a downward facing surface 34 b(FIGS. 2 and 3). The second front side member 36 has a front-end portion36 a and a downward facing surface 36 b.

The first front side member 34 and the second front side member 36 arelaterally spaced apart from one another, as are the rearward portions ofthe first beam 20 and the second beam 22. The first front side member 34and the second front side member 36 are identical, except that they amirror images of one another with symmetry relative to a longitudinalcenter line C_(L) that is defined by the vehicle 10 and the vehicleframe 18.

Several directions are defined relative to the vehicle frame 18, asshown in FIG. 2. Specifically, the longitudinal center line C_(L) thatextends in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle 10 along a centralportion of the vehicle 10. At a left-hand side of FIG. 2, a forwarddirection F_(D) is indicated by the depicted arrow, and at a right-handside of FIG. 2 a rearward direction R_(D) is indicated by the depictedarrow. As well, inboard directions I_(D) and outboard directions O_(D)relative to the longitudinal center line C_(L) are also shown in FIG. 2.

It should be understood from the drawings and description, that thevehicle 10 can also be a vehicle with a unibody construction. A unibodyvehicle is a vehicle that does not typically includes a separate framesuch as the frame 18. Rather, the unibody vehicle includes variousstructural elements welded together. Elements of the unibody vehicleserve as frame elements functionally equivalent to the elements of theframe 18. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,870,267 assigned to Nissan NorthAmerica, discloses a unibody vehicle body structure. The frontstructural support portions (30) disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,870,267also define front side members, functionally equivalent to the first andsecond front side member 34 and 36, as described above. The first andsecond tow hooks 12 and 14, as well as the skid plate 16 describedherein can alternatively be installed to a vehicle with a unibodyconstruction.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, a bumper assembly 40 has a first end that isattached to a forward-facing surface 34 c of the front-end portion 34 aof the first front side member 34. Similarly, the bumper assembly 40 hasa second end that is attached to a forward-facing surface 36 c (FIG. 2)of the front-end portion 36 a of the second front side member 36.Further, the bumper assembly 40 extends between the forward-facingsurfaces 34 c and 36 c of the front-end portions 34 a and 36 a of thefirst and second front side members 34 and 46.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bumper assembly 40 includes attachment brackets42, a support bracket 44, an impact absorbing member 46 and a bumperfascia 48. Since bumper assemblies 40 are conventional vehiclestructures, further description is omitted for the sake of brevity.

The first tow hook 12 and the second tow hook 14 are basicallyidentical. Their only difference is that they are attached to differentportions of the vehicle frame 18. Specifically, the first tow hook 12 isinstalled to the downwardly facing surface 34 b of the first front sidemember 34, and the second tow hook 14 is installed to the downwardlyfacing surface 36 b of the second front side member 36, as described ingreater detail below. Since the first tow hook 12 and the second towhook 14 are basically the same, description of only one is providedbelow for the sake of brevity. However, it should be understood from thedrawings and the description herein, that description of the first towhook 12 applies equally to the second tow hook 14.

The first tow hook 12 (and the second tow hook 14) has a forward portion50 and a rearward portion 52. The forward portion 50 has a tow hookreceiving opening 50 a defined therein. The rearward portion 52 has aforward opening 52 a and a rearward opening 52 b. The rearward opening52 b of the rearward portion 52 of the first tow hook 12 includes anarrow portion 52 c and a wide portion 52 d. The forward opening 52 aand the rearward opening 52 b are spaced apart from one another by afirst distance D₁, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

As is described further below and shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a firstmechanical fastener F₁ (also referred to as the first fastener F₁) isused to attach the first tow hook 12 to the first front side member 34.The first mechanical fastener F₁ has a head portion H₁ and a threadedportion T₁, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The head portion H₁ has anoverall diameter D₂ that is larger than an outer diameter D₃ of thethreaded portion T₁.

Also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the wide portion 52 d of the rearwardopening 52 b is dimensioned such that the head portion H₁ of the firstmechanical fastener F₁ can pass therethrough. The narrow portion 52 c isdimension such that the threaded portion T₁ of the first mechanicalfastener F₁ can pass therethrough with the head portion H₁ is preventedfrom passing therethrough. More specifically, the narrow portion 52 chas a width D₄ as shown in FIG. 6. The width D₄ of the narrow portion 52c is approximately equal to or slightly larger (between than 2% and 5%larger) than the outer diameter D₃ of the threaded portion T₁. However,the width D₄ of the narrow portion 52 c is approximately half of theoverall diameter D₂ of the head portion H₁ of the first fastener F₁.

The overall diameter D₂ of the head portion H₁ is approximately equal toor slightly larger (between than 2% and 5% larger) than an overall widthD₅ of the wide portion 52 d of the rearward opening 52 b. Hence, thehead portion H₁ can easily pass through the wide portion 52 d of therearward opening 52 b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the forward portion 50 and the rearward portion 52of the first tow hook 12 (and the second tow hook 14) are not co-planar,but rather are offset from one another to provide space for the bumperassembly 40. However, it should be understood from the drawings and thedescription herein that the forward portion 50 and the rearward portion52 of the first tow hook 12 (and the second tow hook 14) canalternatively be co-planar.

A description of the skid plate 16 is now provided with specificreference to FIGS. 7-10. The skid plate 16 basically includes a mainsection 60, a first attachment flange 62 that extends from a firstlateral side 60 a of the main section 60, and, a second attachmentflange 64 that extends from a second lateral side 60 b of the mainsection 60. The skid plate 16 can be manufactured from a variety ofmaterials, such as sheet metal, aluminum panel material, plastic/polymermaterials or fiberglass. The skid plate 16 is not designed as astructural element of the vehicle 10, but rather as a cover thatprotects the underside of a forward area of the vehicle 10. The skidplate 16 is intended to protection with sufficient strength to withstandoff-road usage, and have sufficient strength to withstand repeatedcontact with, for example, flying debris such as stones, rocks, gravelmud or any other materials encountered during off-road usage.

The first attachment flange 62 and the second attachment flange 64 arebasically identical except that they are symmetrical about thelongitudinal center line C_(L) of the vehicle 10. The second attachmentflange 64 includes all the features of the first attachment flange 62.Description of the first attachment flange 62 applies equally to thesecond attachment flange 64. Therefore, only the first attachment flange62 is described herein below, for the sake of brevity.

The main section 60 of the skid plate 16 extends from the firstattachment flange 62 to the second attachment flange 64, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. The main section 60 includes a first part 60 c and asecond part 60 d that are angularly offset from one another by an obtuseangle α, as shown in FIG. 10. Depending upon the design of the vehicle10, the obtuse angle α can be any value between 150 degrees and 170degrees.

The first part 60 c of the main section 60 is located forward of thesecond part 60 d with the first part 60 c extending upward from thesecond part 60 d in the vehicle forward direction F_(D), as shown inFIG. 4.

The first part 60 c of the main section 60 is substantially planar. Thesecond part 60 d of the main section 60 includes at least one rib 60 ethat extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction (that coincides withthe vehicle center line C_(L)). In the depicted embodiment, there aretwo ribs 60 e. The second part 60 d of the main section 60 of the skidplate 16 also includes an access opening 60 f aligned with an engineelement P such that the engine element P is accessible via the accessopening 60 f As shown in FIGS. 8, 17 and 24, the engine element P is adrain plug of an engine radiator of the vehicle 10. The main section 60can be provided with any of a variety of dimensions. For example, thesecond part 60 d of the main section 60 can be dimensioned to extendunder only a forward portion of the engine (not shown) or can bedimensioned to extend under the area under the entire engine andtransmission.

The first attachment flange 62 (and the second attachment flange 64)includes an upright extension 70 that locates the first attachmentflange 62 at a location above the second part 60 d of the skid plate 16with the skid plate 16 installed to the vehicle 10. The first attachmentflange 62 (and the second attachment flange 64) are basically horizontalwith the vehicle 10 on a horizontal surface. The first attachment flange62 includes a slot 62 a defined along a rearward edge 62 b thereof and aforward opening 62 c. The slot 62 a and the forward opening 62 c arespaced apart from one another by the first distance D₁.

As shown in FIG. 8, as with the first attachment flange 64, the secondattachment flange 64 has a corresponding slot 64 a defined along arearward edge 64 b thereof and a forward opening 64 c. The slot 64 a andthe forward opening 64 c are spaced apart from one another by the firstdistance D₁.

A description is now provided for installation of the first tow hook 12,the second tow hook 14 and the skid plate 16 to the first front sidemember 34 and the second front side member 26 of the vehicle frame 18.

As shown in FIG. 11, the downward facing surface 34 b of the first frontside member 34 includes a rearward opening O₁ and forward opening O₂. Asshown in FIG. 14, the rearward opening O₁ and the forward opening O₂ arespaced apart from one another by the first distance D₁.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first fastener F₁ is partially threaded into therearward opening O₁. Hence, a majority of the threaded portion T₁ of thefirst fastener F₁ is exposed below the downward facing surface 34 b.With a large portion of the threaded portion T₁ of the first fastener F₁exposed, the first tow hook 12 is hung from the first fastener F₁. Thefirst tow hook 12 can be hung loosely from the first fastener F₁ bybringing the wide portion 52 d of the first tow hook 12 up to the firstfastener F₁. The first tow hook 12 is then pushed upward such that thehead portion H₁ of the first fastener F₁ passes through the wide portion52 d of the first tow hook 12. The first tow hook 12 is then pulled inthe vehicle forward direction F_(D), such that the threaded portion T₁of the first fastener F₁ is located now in the narrow portion 52 c ofthe rearward opening 52 b of the first tow hook 12. The rearward mostareas of the first tow hook 12 contact the head portion H₁ of the firstfastener F₁ allowing the first tow hook 12 to hang on the first fastenerF₁, as shown in FIG. 11. It should be understood from the drawings andthe description herein that although the first tow hook 12 is shown in alevel orientation in FIGS. 11 and 12. However, gravity can pull theforward portion 50 of the first tow hook 12 downward and the first towhook 12 can remain hanging from the first fastener F₁.

The second front side member 36, being symmetrically identical to thefirst front side member 34, is also provided with the rearward openingO₁ and the forward opening O₂, with another one of the first fastener F₁partially threaded in the rearward opening O₁. The second tow hook 14 issimilarly hung from the first fastener F₁ as indicated in FIG. 18.

Next, the skid plate 16 is brought up to contact the first tow hook 12(and the second tow hook 14), as shown in FIG. 12. Thereafter as shownin FIG. 13, the skid plate 16 is pushed in the vehicle rearwarddirection R_(D) such that the slot 62 a of the first attachment flange62 is aligned with and receives the first fastener F₁ (similarly, theslot 64 a shown in FIG. 8 is aligned with and receives the firstfastener F₁ installed to the second front side member 36 as shown inFIG. 17). In other words, the skid plate 16 is slid into engagement withthe first fasteners F₁ such that the slots 62 a and 64 a receive acorresponding portion of their respective first fasteners F₁, with thefirst tow hook 12 located between the skid plate 16 and the first frontside member 34 of the vehicle frame 18, and with the second tow hook 14located between the skid plate 16 and the second front side member 36.

Thereafter as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, second mechanical fasteners F₂(also referred to as second fasteners F₂) are attached to the vehicleframe 18 as follows. One of the second fasteners F₂ (as shown in FIGS.14 and 15) is inserted through the opening 62 a in the first attachmentflange 62 of the skid plate 18, through the forward opening 50 of thefirst tow hook 12, and into the forward fastener opening O₂ of the firstfront side member 34 of the frame 18. Similarly, the other of the secondfasteners F₂ (as shown in FIG. 17) is inserted through the opening 64 ain the second attachment flange 64 of the skid plate 18, through theforward opening 50 of the second tow hook 14, and into the forwardfastener opening O₂ of the second front side member 36 of the frame 18.Thereafter, the first fasteners F₁ and the second fasteners F₂ aretightened, securing the first and second tow hooks 12 and 14, and theskid plate 16 to the vehicle frame 18, and shown in FIG. 16. Morespecifically, tightening the first fasteners F₁ and the second fastenersF₂ clamps the first and second tow hooks 12 and 14 between the vehicleframe 18 and the skid plate 16.

As mentioned above, the openings O₁ and O₂ are spaced apart from oneanother by the first distance D₁; the forward opening 52 a and thenarrow portion 52 c of the rearward opening 52 b are spaced apart fromone another by the first distance D₁; and the slots 62 a and 64 a arespaced apart from corresponding ones of the forward openings 62 c and 64c by the first distance D₁. Hence, the openings O₁, the narrow portions52 c of the rearward openings 52 b and respective slots 62 a and 64 aalign with one another once the first fasteners F₁ installed. Similarly,the openings O₂, the forward openings 52 a and corresponding forwardopening 62 c and 64 c are aligned with the first fasteners F₁ and thesecond fasteners F₂ installed. Hence, the insertion and tightening ofthe second fasteners F₂ ensures proper alignment of the first and secondtow hooks 12 and 14, and the skid plate 16 with the first and secondfront side members 34 and 36.

Hence, the attachment points for the first and second tow hooks 12 and14 are the same attachment points for the skid plate 16, where theattachment points are defined by the respective openings O₁ and O₂ ofthe first and second front side members 34 and 36 (the installationlocations of the first and second fasteners F₁ and F₂).

FIGS. 11-16 depict attachment of the first tow hook 12 and the firstattachment flange 62 of the skid plate 16 to first front side member 34via the installation of the first and second fasteners F₁ and F₂. Itshould be understood from the drawings and the description herein thatdepiction of attachment of the second tow hook 14 and the secondattachment flange 64 of the skid plate 16 to second front side member 36with corresponding ones of the first and second fasteners F₁ and F₂ isidentical to the depiction in FIGS. 11-16, except that the depictionswould be mirror images of FIG. 11-16. FIG. 17 shows the first and secondtow hooks 12 and 14 and the skid plate 16 installed to the first andsecond front side members 34 and 36.

As described above, the first front side member 34 and the second frontside member 36 area laterally spaced apart from one another. The firstattachment flange 62 and the second attachment flange 64 are spacedapart from one another by a distance equal to the distance between thefirst front side member 34 and the second front side member 36.

In the first embodiment, and each of the following embodiments, the skidplate 16 is only attached to the vehicle 10 and vehicle frame 18 by thefirst attachment flange 62 and the second attachment flange 64. In otherwords, the main section 60 and the upright extensions 70 extend betweenthe first attachment flange 62 and the second attachment flange 64 andare attached to the vehicle frame 18 only via the first attachmentflange 62 and the second attachment flange 64. The main section 60 ofthe skid plate 16 has no attachments points of its own relative to thevehicle frame 18 and the remainder of the vehicle 10 other thatattachment via the first attachment flange 62 and the second attachmentflange 64.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 19-20, a first attachment flange 162 of a skidplate 116 in accordance with a second embodiment will now be explained.In view of the similarity between the first and second embodiments, theparts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of thefirst embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the partsof the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of thesecond embodiment that are identical to the parts of the firstembodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

The skid plate 116 is identical to the skid plate 16 of the firstembodiment and includes all of the features of the skid plate 16 of thefirst embodiment, except that the first attachment flange 162 ismodified, as compared to the first attachment flange 62 of the firstembodiment. Specifically, the first attachment flange 162 has beenmodified to include an upwardly extending alignment projection 180. Thealignment projection 180 has an arcuate shape, as shown in cross-sectionin FIG. 20. The alignment projection 180 extends from an outboardlateral side of the first attachment flange 162. The alignmentprojection 180 defines an alignment surface 180 a formed thereon. Thealignment surface 180 a (shown in FIG. 20) is shaped to contact anoutboard lateral side of the rearward portion 52 of the first tow hook12. The skid plate 116 attaches to the first front side member 34 viathe first and second fasteners F₁ and F₂ as described above with respectto the first embodiment, except that the alignment surface 180 acontacts the first tow hook 12 keeping it in alignment with the firstattachment flange 162 and consequently with the first front side member34 during installation. More specifically, during installation of theskid plate 116 to the first front side member 34, the alignmentprojection 180 contacts the surface of the rearward portion 52 of thefirst tow hook 12 moving the first tow hook 12 into alignment with thefirst attachment flange 162 and the first front side member 34.

As shown in FIG. 20, the first attachment flange 162 is planar anddefines an first plane (dashed line in FIG. 20), and, the alignmentsurface 180 a extends upward from the first attachment flange 162 suchthat an end portion of the alignment surface 180 a defines a secondplane (dashed line in FIG. 20), where the first plane and the secondplane define an angle α₁ that is a value anywhere between 20 degrees and90 degrees. However, in the depicted second embodiment, the angle α₁ is,for example, approximately 90±5 degrees.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description hereinthat a second attachment flange (not shown) of the skit plate 116 canalso be provided with an alignment projection identical (but a mirrorimage of) the alignment projection 180 in order to align the second towhook 14. A depiction of the second attachment flange and correspondingalignment projection would be identical to, but mirror images of thedepictions in FIGS. 19 and 20.

Third Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 21, a first attachment flange 262 of a skid plate216 in accordance with a third embodiment will now be explained. In viewof the similarity between the first and third embodiments, the parts ofthe third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the firstembodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of thefirst embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the thirdembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity.

The skid plate 216 is identical to the skid plate 16 of the firstembodiment and includes all of the features of the skid plate 16 of thefirst embodiment, except that the first attachment flange 262 ismodified, as compared to the first attachment flange 62 of the firstembodiment. Specifically, the first attachment flange 262 has beenmodified to include an upwardly extending alignment projection 280. Thealignment projection 280 has an arcuate shape, as shown in cross-sectionin FIG. 21. The alignment projection 280 extends from an inboard lateralside of the first attachment flange 262. The alignment projection 280defines an alignment surface 280 a formed thereon. The alignment surface280 a is shaped to contact an inboard lateral side of the rearwardportion 52 of the first tow hook 12. The skid plate 216 attaches to thefirst front side member 34 via the first and second fasteners F₁ and F₂as described above with respect to the first embodiment, except that thealignment surface 280 a contacts the first tow hook 12 keeping it inalignment with the first attachment flange 262 and consequently with thefirst front side member 34 during installation. More specifically,during installation of the skid plate 216 to the first front side member34, the alignment projection 280 contacts the surface of the rearwardportion 52 of the first tow hook 12 moving the first tow hook 12 intoalignment with the first attachment flange 162 and the first front sidemember 34.

As shown in FIG. 21, the first attachment flange 262 is planar and thealignment surface 280 a extends upward from the first attachment flange262 such that an end portion of the alignment surface 280 a and thefirst attachment flange 262 define angle therebetween that is between 20and 90 degrees. However, in the third embodiment the angle is, forexample, approximately 45±5 degrees.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description hereinthat a second attachment flange (not shown) of the skit plate 216 canalso be provided with an alignment projection identical (but a mirrorimage of) the alignment projection 280 in order to align the second towhook 14. A depiction of the second attachment flange and correspondingalignment projection would be identical to, but mirror images of thedepiction in FIG. 21.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 22, a first attachment flange 362 of a skid plate316 in accordance with a fourth embodiment will now be explained. Inview of the similarity between the first and fourth embodiments, theparts of the fourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of thefirst embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the partsof the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of thefourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the firstembodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

The skid plate 316 is identical to the skid plate 16 of the firstembodiment and includes all of the features of the skid plate 16 of thefirst embodiment, except that the first attachment flange 362 ismodified, as compared to the first attachment flange 62 of the firstembodiment. Specifically, the first attachment flange 362 has beenmodified to include an upwardly extending alignment projection 380. Thealignment projection 380 has an arcuate shape, as shown in cross-sectionin FIG. 22. The alignment projection 380 extends from an outboardlateral side of the first attachment flange 362, but, extends upwardlytherefrom in an inboard direction. The alignment projection 380 definesan alignment surface 380 a formed thereon. The alignment surface 380 ais shaped and located to contact a surface within the rearward opening52 b of the rearward portion 52 of the first tow hook 12. The skid plate316 attaches to the first front side member 34 via the first and secondfasteners F₁ and F₂ as described above with respect to the firstembodiment, except that the alignment surface 380 a contacts the firsttow hook 12 keeping it in alignment with the first attachment flange 362and consequently with the first front side member 34 duringinstallation. More specifically, during installation of the skid plate316 to the first front side member 34, the alignment projection 380contacts the surface within the rearward opening 52 b of the rearwardportion 52 of the first tow hook 12 moving the first tow hook 12 intoalignment with the first attachment flange 362 and the first front sidemember 34.

As shown in FIG. 20, the first attachment flange 362 is planar and thealignment surface 380 a extends upward from the first attachment flange362 such that an end portion of the alignment surface 380 a and thefirst attachment flange 362 define angle therebetween that is between 20and 90 degrees. However, in the fourth embodiment the angle is, forexample, approximately 90±5 degrees.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description hereinthat a second attachment flange (not shown) of the skit plate 316 canalso be provided with an alignment projection identical (but a mirrorimage of) the alignment projection 380 in order to align the second towhook 14. A depiction of the second attachment flange and correspondingalignment projection would be identical to, but mirror images of thedepiction in FIG. 22.

Fifth Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24, the vehicle 10 in accordance with afifth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similaritybetween the first and fifth embodiments, the parts of the fifthembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment willbe given the same reference numerals as the parts of the firstembodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the fifthembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity.

The vehicle 10 includes the vehicle frame 18 with first and second frontside members 34 and 36 and the skid plate 16, as described above withrespect to the first embodiment.

The vehicle 10 has been modified in the fifth embodiment such that thefirst and second tow hooks 12 and 14 are omitted. Consequently, thefirst attachment flange 62 and the second attachment flange 64 attachdirectly to corresponding ones of the downward facing surfaces 34 b and36 c of the first and second front side members 34 and 36. In otherwords, the first attachment flange 62 and the second attachment flange64 directly contact and are fixed to corresponding ones of the downwardfacing surfaces 34 b and 36 c of the first and second front side members34 and 36 via the first and second fastener F₁ and F₂. As shown in FIG.24, the access opening 60 f aligns with the engine element P (a drainplug of the engine radiator of the vehicle 10).

Otherwise, the vehicle 10 is as described above with respect to thefirst embodiment.

The various components and features of the vehicle 10 other than thefirst and second tow hooks 12 and 14, and the skid plate 16, areconventional components that are well known in the art. Since theseother components and features of the vehicle 10 are well known in theart, these structures will not be discussed or illustrated in detailherein. Rather, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that the components can be any type of structure thatcan be used to carry out the present invention.

General Interpretation of Terms

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe theabove embodiments, the following directional terms “forward”,“rearward”, “above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and“transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer tothose directions of a vehicle equipped with the front-end assembly.Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present inventionshould be interpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with the front-endassembly.

The term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section orpart of a device that is constructed to carry out the desired function.

The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately”as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modifiedterm such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such features. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle front-end assembly, comprising avehicle frame having a first front side member with a front-end portion;a first tow hook having a forward portion and a rearward portion, therearward portion of the first tow hook being attached the front-endportion of the first front side member by at least one first mechanicalfastener; and a skid plate having a main section, a first attachmentflange extending from a first lateral side of the main section, thefirst attachment flange also being attached to the front-end portion ofthe first front side member by the at least one first mechanicalfastener, the first attachment flange having a first alignmentprojecting surface configured such that during installation of the skidplate to the first front side member, the first alignment projectioncontacts a surface of the rearward portion of the first tow hook movingthe first tow hook into alignment with the first front side member. 2.The vehicle front-end assembly according to claim 1, wherein the firstattachment flange defines a first plane with the first alignmentprojection being angularly offset from the first plane.
 3. The vehiclefront-end assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first plane and thefirst alignment projection define an angle therebetween that is between20 degrees and 90 degrees.
 4. The vehicle front-end assembly accordingto claim 3, wherein the angle is one of the following: 25±5 degrees;45±5 degrees; 60±5 degrees; or 90±5 degrees.
 5. The vehicle front-endassembly according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the rearwardportion of the first tow hook contacted by the first alignmentprojecting surface of the first attachment flange of the skid plate isan outboard lateral surface of the rearward portion of the first towhook.
 6. The vehicle front-end assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe surface of the rearward portion of the first tow hook contacted bythe first alignment projecting surface of the first attachment flange ofthe skid plate is an inboard lateral surface of the rearward portion ofthe first tow hook.
 7. The vehicle front-end assembly according to claim1, wherein the at least one first mechanical fastener has a head portionand a threaded portion, the head portion having an overall diameterlarger than the diameter of the threaded portion, the rearward portionof the first tow hook defining a rearward opening having a narrowportion and a wide portion, the wide portion being dimensioned such thatthe head portion of the at least one first mechanical fastener can passtherethrough and the narrow portion being dimension such that thethreaded portion of the at least one first mechanical fastener can passtherethrough with the head portion being prevented from passingtherethrough, and the surface of the rearward portion of the first towhook contacted by the first alignment projecting surface of the firstattachment flange of the skid plate is defined within the narrow portionof the rearward opening of the rearward portion of the first tow hook.8. The vehicle front-end assembly according to claim 1, wherein thefront-end portion of the first front side member of the vehicle framehaving a rearward fastener receiving opening and a forward fastenerreceiving opening spaced apart from one another, the rearward fastenerreceiving opening being positioned to receive the at least one firstmechanical fastener, the forward fastener receiving opening beingpositioned to receive a second mechanical fastener, the rearward portionof the first tow hook defining a forward opening and a rearward openingspaced apart from the forward opening, and the first attachment flangehaving a rearward slot and a forward opening spaced apart from therearward slot, with the at least one first mechanical fastener extendingthrough the rearward slot, the rearward opening in the first tow hookand the rearward fastener receiving opening in the front side memberafter installation, and with the second mechanical fastener extendingthrough the forward opening of the first attachment flange, the forwardopening in the first tow hook and the forward fastener receiving openingin the front side member after installation.
 9. A vehicle front-endassembly, comprising a vehicle frame having a first front side memberand a second front side member laterally spaced apart from one another,each of the first and second front side members having a correspondingfront-end portion; a first tow hook and a second tow hook, each of thefirst and second tow hooks having a forward portion and a rearwardportion, the rearward portion of the first tow hook being attached thefront-end portion of the first front side member by at least one firstmechanical fastener and the rearward portion of the second tow hookbeing attached to the front-end portion of the second front side memberby another first mechanical fastener; and a skid plate having a mainsection, a first attachment flange extending from a first lateral sideof the main section and a second attachment flange extending from asecond lateral side of the main section, the first attachment flangehaving a first alignment projection configured such that duringinstallation of the skid plate to the first front side member, the firstalignment projection contacts a surface of the rearward portion of thefirst tow hook moving the first tow hook into alignment with the firstfront side member with the at least one first mechanical fastenerattaching the first attachment flange and the first tow hook to thefirst front side member, the second attachment flange having a secondalignment projection configured such that during installation of theskid plate to the second front side member, the second alignmentprojection contacts a surface of the rearward portion of the second towhook moving the second tow hook into alignment with the second frontside member with the another first mechanical fastener attaching thesecond attachment flange and the second tow hook to the second frontside member.
 10. The vehicle front-end assembly according to claim 9,wherein the first attachment flange defines a first plane with the firstalignment projection being angularly offset from the first plane, andthe second attachment flange defines a second plane with the secondalignment projection being angularly offset from the second plane. 11.The vehicle front-end assembly according to claim 10, wherein the firstplane and the first alignment projection define a first angletherebetween that is between 20 degrees and 90 degrees and the secondplane and the second alignment projection define a second angletherebetween that is between 20 degrees and 90 degrees.
 12. The vehiclefront-end assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first angle is oneof the following: 25±5 degrees; 45±5 degrees; 60±5 degrees or 90±5degrees, and the second angle is one of the following: 25±5 degrees;45±5 degrees; 60±5 degrees or 90±5 degrees.
 13. The vehicle front-endassembly according to claim 9, wherein the surface of the rearwardportion of the first tow hook contacted by the first alignmentprojecting surface of the first attachment flange of the skid plate isone of: an outboard lateral surface of the rearward portion of the firsttow hook or an inboard lateral surface of the rearward portion of thefirst tow hook.
 14. The vehicle front-end assembly according to claim 9,wherein the surface of the rearward portion of the first tow hookcontacted by the first alignment projecting surface of the firstattachment flange of the skid plate is defined within a narrow portionof a rearward opening of the rearward portion of the first tow hook,and, the surface of the rearward portion of the second tow hookcontacted by the second alignment projecting surface of the secondattachment flange of the skid plate is defined within a narrow portionof a rearward opening of the rearward portion of the second tow hook.15. A method of assembling a vehicle front-end assembly, comprisingproviding a vehicle frame with a first front side member locatedadjacent to a first lateral side of a vehicle, the first front sidemember having a front-end portion defining a corresponding rearwardfastener opening and a corresponding forward fastener opening of thevehicle frame; partially threading a first mechanical fastener to therearward fastener opening of the first front side member; hanging afirst tow hook from the first mechanical fastener, the first tow hookhaving a rearward opening that receives the first mechanical fastenerand a forward opening; providing a skid plate with a main section and afirst attachment flange that extends from a first lateral side of themain section, the first attachment flange having a slot along a rearwardedge thereof and an opening forward of the slot, the first attachmentflange further having a first alignment projecting surface extendingtherefrom; sliding the skid plate into engagement with the firstmechanical fastener such that the slot receives a corresponding portionof the first mechanical fastener, with the first tow hook locatedbetween the skid plate and the vehicle frame, such that the firstalignment projecting surface contacts an upwardly extending surface ofthe first tow hook; inserting a second mechanical fastener through theopening in the first attachment flange of the skid plate, through theforward opening of the first tow hook, and into the forward fasteneropening of the frame; and tightening the first mechanical fastener andthe second mechanical fastener clamping the first tow hook between thevehicle frame and the skid plate with the first alignment projectingsurface moving the first tow hook into alignment with the first frontside member and the first attachment flange.
 16. The method ofassembling a vehicle front-end assembly according to claim 15, whereinthe providing of the vehicle frame further includes providing thevehicle frame with a second front side member located adjacent to asecond lateral side of the vehicle, the second front side member havinga front-end portion defining a corresponding rearward fastener openingand a corresponding forward fastener opening; the partially threading ofthe first mechanical fastener includes partially threading another firstmechanical fastener to the rearward fastener opening of the second frontside member; the hanging of the first tow hook includes hanging a secondtow hook from the another first mechanical fastener; the providing ofthe skid plate includes providing the skid plate with a secondattachment flange that extends from a second lateral side of the mainsection, the second attachment flange having a slot along a rearwardedge thereof and an opening forward of the slot, the second attachmentflange further having a second alignment projecting surface extendingtherefrom; the sliding of the skid plate into engagement with the firstmechanical fastener includes sliding the skid plate into engagement withthe another first mechanical fastener such that the slot of the secondattachment flange receives a corresponding portion of the another firstmechanical fastener; inserting the second mechanical fastener throughthe opening in the first attachment flange of the skid plate, throughthe forward opening of the first tow hook, and into the forward fasteneropening of the vehicle frame, further includes inserting another secondmechanical fastener through the opening in the second attachment flangeof the skid plate, through a forward opening of the second tow hook, andinto the forward fastener opening of the second front side member; andthe tightening the first mechanical fastener and the another firstmechanical fastener includes tightening the second mechanical fastenerand the another second mechanical fastener clamping the first tow hookbetween the vehicle frame and the skid plate with the first alignmentprojecting surface moving the first tow hook into alignment with thefirst front side member and the first attachment flange and clamping thesecond tow hook between the vehicle frame and the skid plate with thesecond alignment projecting surface moving the first tow hook intoalignment with the first front side member and the first attachmentflange.
 17. The method of assembling a vehicle front-end assemblyaccording to claim 16, wherein the providing of the skid plate includethe first attachment flange defining a first plane with the firstalignment projecting surface being angularly offset from the firstplane, and the second attachment flange defining a second plane with thesecond alignment projecting surface being angularly offset from thesecond plane.
 18. The method of assembling a vehicle front-end assemblyaccording to claim 17, wherein the first plane and the first alignmentprojection projecting surface define a first angle therebetween that isbetween 20 degrees and 90 degrees and the second plane and the secondalignment projection projecting surface define a second angletherebetween that is between 20 degrees and 90 degrees.
 19. The methodof assembling a vehicle front-end assembly according to claim 18,wherein the first angle is one of the following: 25±5 degrees; 45±5degrees; 60±5 degrees or 90±5 degrees, and the second angle is one ofthe following: 25±5 degrees; 45±5 degrees; 60±5 degrees or 90±5 degrees.20. The method of assembling a vehicle front-end assembly according toclaim 16, wherein the upwardly extending surface of the first tow hookcontacted by the first alignment projecting surface of the firstattachment flange of the skid plate is one of: an outboard lateralsurface of a rearward portion of the first tow hook; an inboard lateralsurface of the rearward portion of the first tow hook; or a narrowportion of a rearward opening of the rearward portion of the first towhook.